Large microdata sample files from national censuses are increasingly being used in social science research, yet little work has been done to integrate such data-sets despite the literature that draws attention to this potential. We argue that, while such research is to be encouraged, there are problems in integrating different data-sets that must be given due attention. The example considered here is a cross-national analysis of the effects of family migration on labour market participation rates for female partners using data from the 1991 British Census Sample of Anonymised Records and the 1990 United States Public Use Microdata Sample. However, the lessons from this exercise are argued to be of more general interest. The problems we address are divided into those of: data collection, manipulation and reliability; question type and definition; and the measurement of individual and family variables. We also present some brief empirical findings from our two samples. The paper demonstrates that care must be taken when comparing microdata across nations, and that in some ways the GB and US data are surprisingly incompatible. Even so, the benefits of cross-national comparisons make endeavours such as this well worthwhile, enabling comparative benchmarks to be established from which the influence of national ideological and institutional structures can be evaluated.This paper investigates the problems in integrating different data sets for social science research. A cross-national analysis of the effects of family migration on labor market participation rates for female partners was used as an example to concretize these problems. The data used in the cross national analysis came from the 1991 British Census Sample of Anonymised Records and the 1990 United States Public Use Microdata Sample. The problems addressed were the following: data collection; manipulation and reliability; question type and definition; and measurement of individual and family variables. As part of the analysis, some empirical findings were also presented. Significant overall differences between the US and Great Britain (GB) samples were observed, particularly concerning graduate qualifications, marital and employment status, and ethnic group. There were higher numbers of married partners and full-time workers in the US sample, while female partners undertaking part-time employment were greater in GB. Furthermore, the US sample had more couples with a female graduate as compared with the GB sample who had a higher proportion of nongraduate couples. Finally, this paper recognized the importance of cross- national research in the evaluation of national ideological and institutional structures.

Census microdata Female labour market participation Great Britain Family migration United States

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